What goes on in the minds of adolescents from the ages of 10 - 25? Judith Lieftink, YoungWorks

Content Introduction The adolescent brain inside out The role of influentials

Introduction

The adolescent brain inside out

The role of influentials

Two major trends Youth culture is dominant Kids getting older younger Result: grown ups become insecure youth gets overrated

Youth culture is dominant

Kids getting older younger

Result:

grown ups become insecure

youth gets overrated

The adolescent brain inside out

Most important insight The human brain is fully developed at the age of 25

The human brain is fully developed at the age of 25

The adolescent brain

1. Less connections No helicopter view Less concentration Less problem solving skills From rational to emotional... and back again

No helicopter view

Less concentration

Less problem solving skills

From rational to emotional... and back again

Paul (18 years)

Paul (18 years)

True or not true? Youngsters are more skilled than adults in multitasking

2. Growing back to front Frontal lobe latest fully grown abstract thinking skills difficulty with cognitive skills, like: making choices planning and anticipating priorities

Frontal lobe latest fully grown

abstract thinking skills

difficulty with cognitive skills, like:

making choices

planning and anticipating

priorities

Frontal lobe Frontal lobe distinguishes us from other primates

Frontal lobe distinguishes us from other primates

Agree or disagree? As long as the frontal lobe is not fully grown, adults should fulfill a function as a substitute

3. Fierce emotions Amygdale has upper hand less control over emotions negative emotions upper hand less empathy in other ones emotions

Amygdale has upper hand

less control over emotions

negative emotions upper hand

less empathy in other ones emotions

Marketeer Tom Hanks

Big

4. Kicks! Increased hormone level mood swings reckless behavior less impulse control disability to see things in perspective ‘ Everything you experience in that period seems to change your life. (...) You don’t realize that many loves and broken hearts will follow.’ Lykke Li, Swedish singer/songwriter, 21 years

Increased hormone level

mood swings

reckless behavior

less impulse control

disability to see things in perspective

Pants on fire

Pants on fire

The role of influentials

Role of Influentials

Seducers & educators

Educational campaign Stivoro

X-Travel

X-Travel

What do youngsters want? Conclusions: More attention, sincere interest Involvement from adults Structure and clear boundaries

Conclusions:

More attention, sincere interest

Involvement from adults

Structure and clear boundaries